Course Schedule and Syllabus


General structure:

  • Out of 18 weeks (4.5 months), every month ends with an INTERNAL ASSESSMENT by the concerned teacher in theory (objective type) and
  • Final assessment will be done by the External Exams by the end of the course. 
  • Rubrics for the examinations are based on the parameters of Sruthi Gnana, Laya Shuddham, Pronunciation of the lyric, i.e., Diction, and Bhava delineation. 
  • Amongst 18 weeks of the semester, Theory and Practical are taught with alignment. The allocation of the Sankeerthanas is set in the timetable accordingly. 
  • Each Sankeerthana of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (SGS Devotional Music Compositions) is to be taught with its Raga Lakshana, Tala Structure, Meaning, Lyrical excellence, Notation, and Spiritual significance.

Level 1 – Beginner Track Syllabus

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom (Live + Recorded) 

Total Duration per Level: 9 months (2 semesters, 18 weeks each) 

Total Credits per Level: 12 (4 credits/semester) 

Total Contact Hours per Level: 180 (60/semester: 30 in-class + 30 practice/study)

BASIC CONCEPTS OF DEVOTIONAL MUSIC, SRI GANAPATHY SACHCHIDANANDA SWAMIJI’S COMPOSITIONS IN BASIC RAGAS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF DEVOTIONAL COMPOSERS

Theory: 

  • Evolution of music in brief: Concept of the Bhakti movement. 
  • Technical terms - Nada, Shruti, Swara, Sthayi, Dwadasha Swara Sthanas, Raga, Arohana, Avarohana, Dhatu, Matu, Tala, Kriya, Anga, Jathi and Gathi.
  • Biographies of Purandharadasar, Annamacharya and Sri Ganapathy  Sachchidananda Swamiji, early life chapters in brief.  
  • Brief explanation of Janya Ragas, Audava, Shadava, Vakra Ragas, and other varieties. Bhashanga. 
  • Shodasa Swaras. 

Practical:

  • Sarali swaras, Janta swaras, Datu swaras, Alankaras.  
  • Geetham - Malahari - Sreegananatha - Rupakam-Purandharadasar.  
  • Sankarabharanam - Santatham Pahi - Rupakam-Mutthuswamy Ji  

SGS Compositions:

  • Kalyani - Gam Gam Ganapathi - Aadi.
  • Mayamalavagowla - Unnadi okade - Aadi.
  • Hamsadhwani - He Dakshina Murthy - Khanda Nada. 
  • Mohana - Kamesha Vameshi - Khanda Nada.  
  • Sankarabharanam - Anjaneya Gativi Nive - Misra Nada.  
  • Aarabhi - Indiresha Govinda - Aadi. 
  • Kharaharapriya - Dattatreya Atreya Putra - Tisra Nada. 
  • Pantuvarali - Jyothi veligindi - Aadi. 
  • Revagupti - Lanka Sankari - Aadi.  
  • Hamsanaadam - Kesari Nandana Vandipe - Aadi. 
  • Charukeshi - Saptagiri Vasane - Aadi - Tisra Nada. 

SGS COMPOSITIONS IN MELAKARTHAS AND JANYA RAGAS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF DEVOTIONAL COMPOSER.MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, COMPOSITIONS IN JANYA RAGAS AND DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL ASPECTS OF AVADHOOTA DATTA PEETHAM, MYSURU.

Theory: 

  • Brief introduction of 72 Melakarthas. 
  • Musical Instruments and their classification.  Description of the musical instruments (Tambura, Veena, Flute, Violin, and Mridanga).  
  • Brief introduction to Nada Mantapa, Saptaswara Mantapa, Dharma Dhwaja, Musical wing of Vishwam Museum, Music Therapy Centre, Chitra Malika Video Studio, Nada Nidhi Audio Studio, and Lineage from Sri Venkatamakhi to Sri Swamiji (Sri Venkatamahi, Sri Jayalakshmi Mata, and Sri Swamiji). 
  • Biographies of Ramadasa and Narayanateertha in brief.  

Practical: 

  • Natabhairavi - Sthapita Bhavita - Aadi (Tisra Nada).  
  • Ramapriya - Parabramha Jayam - Khanda Nada.
  • Gowrimanohari - Gangadhara Siva-Aadi. 
  •  Abheri - Annapurna Gnanapurna/Jayamulanimmu Sri Rama – Aadi. 
  • Ananda Bhairavi - Tvam Sadashivasi - Aadi.  
  • Shree - Neeraja Nayani - Aadi.
  • Amrutavarshini - Anaghastami vratamuttamam (Sanskrit version) - Aadi.  
  • Vasanthi - Devi viradrupa - Khanda nada (Telugu). 
  • Shubhali - Nara Narayana Devane - Aadi (Kannada).  
  • Chakravakam - Bala gopalane - Aadi (Malayalam).  
  • Sindhubhairavi - Chala Sakhyano - Aadi (Marathi).  
  • Vakulabharanam - Ram Naam ki - Aadi (Hindi).  
  • Sankarabharanam - Oh My Guru Infinite - Aadi (English).

Note:

Final examination in Practicals Solo Singing  is for 15 minutes (a video 

file is allowed).

Level 2 – Advanced Track Syllabus

Delivery Format: Online via Zoom (Live + Recorded) 

Total Duration per Level: 9 months (2 semesters, 18 weeks each) 

Total Credits per Level: 12 (4 credits/semester) 

Total Contact Hours per Level: 180 (60/semester: 30 in-class + 30 practice/study)

FEATURES OF DEVOTIONAL MUSIC, SGS COMPOSITIONS IN DESHYA, RARE AND OTHER JANYA RAGAS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF DEVOTIONAL COMPOSERS.

Theory: 

  • Features of Nama Sankeerthana, Bhajan Sampradaya, and Hari Katha.  
  • Ghana - Naya - Deshya Ragas, Rare Ragas in an authenticated format of our Musicology. 
  • Contribution of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji to music from the treatise of Raga Ragini Nada Yoga.  
  • Biographies of Tyagaraja Swamy, Arunagirinathar, Tirugnana Sambandhar, and Swathi Tirunal in brief. 

Practical: 

  • Nata - Sanjeevi Parvatadhari Jagati-Aadi.  
  • Gowla-Mahadeva Putram-Khanda Nada.  
  • Jaijaivanthi - Jaya Jayalakshmi Sri Mata - Aadi  
  • Bageshri- Dwarakadheeshana - Aadi (Tisra nada). 
  • Behag - Trimurti Gurvi - Aadi. 
  • Salagabhairavi - Nama Vadami - Aadi. 
  • Sunadavinodini - Sruthulaku Jananivi - Aadi. 
  • Chandrajyothi - Rahasyametat-Aadi. 
  • Kuntalavarali - Rama Parandhama - Aadi (Tisra  Nada). 
  • Natakuranji - Ganam Gananaam - Aadi. 
  • Sallapam - Manasa Mandira - Aadi . 
  • Kashyapi - Mayaroopa Paatumam -  Aadi. 
  • Athana - Prasaratu Devi - Aadi. 
  • Kharaharapriya - Saraya Saraya - Aadi(Swara Devata Krithi). 
  • Sindhu Bhairavi - Pada pada - Aadi(Swara Akshara Krithi). 
  • Vasanthi -  Anatha Shayana Aapadbandhava - Aadi(Thora Bandha Krithi).

CONTRIBUTION OF SRI GANAPATHY SACHCHIDANANDA SWAMIJI TO MUSIC, SGS GROUP KRITHIS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF DEVOTIONAL COMPOSERS.COMPOSITIONS IN MELAKARTHAS, GHANA RAGAS AND RAGAS CREATED BY SRI SWAMIJI, TALA MALIKA AND RAGA MALIKA.

Theory: 

  • Group Krithis from SGS compositions.  
  • Biographies of Kanaka Dasar, Vijaya Dasar, Gopala Dasar, Jagannatha Dasar, Meerabai, Tukaram, Tulasidas, and Kabirdas in brief.  
  • Methodology for Dissertation.  
  • Concept of Solo Singing, Group Singing, and Accompaniments.  
  • Apoorva Ragas created by Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.

Practical: 

  • Janaranjani - Jaye Desha - Mishra chapu(Tripura Navavarana Keerthanas) 
  • Nalinakanthi - Vande Vagbala - Aadi(Sollu Kattu Swara Krithis). 
  • Dharmavathi - Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga - Aadi(Jyotirlinga Keerthanas) 
  • Nagaswaravali - Patvalampura vasinisa - Misra chapu(Ashtadasha Shakti Peetha Keerthanas). 
  • Navamalika - Talli Girija - Aadi (Niroshtaka Ragas). 
  • Desh - Koti Surya Teja Maruti - Aadi (Tisra Nada)(Mangalacharanas). 
  • Sivaranjani - Tiruparakundram - Aadi(Subrahmanya Arupadai Krithis).  
  • Gangeyabhushani (Vivaadi Mela) - Lobhaniya Sadgune – Aadi (Tisra Nada). 
  • Varunapriya (Vivaadi Mela) - Vasavadi Vinuta Vedam - Aadi (Tisra Nada).  
  • Vanaspathi (Vivaadi Mela) - Ilalo Kalalo - Aadi.  
  • Kantamani (Vivaadi Mela) - Sadakara Sadananda-Misra Chapu. 
  • Navaneetham - Saptamatala Rupamanduna-Misra Chapu.  
  • Shadvidhamargini - O Janani - Aadi (Tisra Nada).  
  • Surya-Suryakantham - Surya Deva - Aadi.  
  • Ayyappa - Simhendramadhyama - Ayyappa Ayyappa - Aadi. 
  • Nagendra-Dhenuka-Sarpebhyosthu Namassada - Aadi.  
  • Padmavathi - Padmavati Ramana - Khanda Nada. 
  • Punnagavarali - Sri Lalita - Aadi (Tisra Nada). 
  • Yaman Kalyani - Aasmaan se Pucho - Aadi. 

Note: 

  • At the end of the 2nd Semester of Level 2, students should submit a dissertation for a maximum of 10 pages, abiding by the methodology, in the language of their choice.  
  • Final examination in Practicals is Solo Singing for 15 minutes (an audio file is allowed).

Books for Reference: 

  1. Dr. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Raga Ragini Nada Yoga – 2013 – Raga Ragini Trust.
  2. Prof. Sambamurty P. – South Indian Music Vol I to VI – 1998 – The Indian Music Publishing house, Roypet, Chennai.
  3. Subba Rao B. – Raganidhi Vol I to IV – 1993 – The Music Academy, Chennai.
  4. Bhagya Lakshmi S. – Ragas of Indian Music – 1990 – CBH Publications, Trivandrum.
  5. Prof. Janakiraman S. R. – Ragas at a glance – 2002 – Srishti’s Carnatica Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. 
  6. Dr. Raghavan V. – Collected Writings on Indian Music Vol I, II & III – 2007 – Dr. Raghavan Centre for Performing arts in association with Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi. 
  7. Dr. Lakshmanaiah Samudrala – Sankeerthana Lakshanam of Annamacharya – 2008 – TTD.


Apps for Reference:

Bhajana Mala (Android and Apple)

Examination Structure (For Level 1 and Level 2)

Assessment Breakdown:

  • Theory: 40 marks
  • Practical: 60 marks
  • Total: 100 marks per semester


Attendance Requirement:

  • Students must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance in both theory and practical sessions to be eligible for assessments.


Internal Assessments:

  • Conducted monthly (at the end of each 4-week period within the 18-week semester).
  • Theory: Objective-type written test (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blanks).
  • Practical: VIVA VOCE or submission of an audio file demonstrating assigned compositions. Internal assessments contribute to overall semester performance and readiness for final examinations.


Final Examination:

  • Conducted at the end of each semester by external examiners.
  • Theory (40 marks): 
  • Covers five units/topics per semester, aligned with the syllabus.
  • Format:
  • Optional Subjects: 20 (choice-based questions on specialized topics).
  • True or False: 10 questions.
  • Fill in the Blanks: 10 questions.
  • Short Answers: 4 questions.
  • Long Answers: 2 questions (only one long-answer question is scored, based on the best response).
  • Total theory marks are scaled to 40.
  • Practical (60 marks): 
  • Covers five compositions or techniques from the semester’s practical syllabus.
  • Format: Solo singing performance (15-minute duration, live or via recorded audio file).
  • Evaluation based on: 
  • Sruthi Gnana (pitch accuracy)
  • Laya Shuddham (rhythmic precision)
  • Pronunciation/Diction (clarity of lyrics)
  • Bhava Delineation (emotional expression)


Additional Requirements (Level 2, Semester 2):

  • Students must submit a dissertation (maximum 10 pages) in their chosen language, following the methodology outlined in the theory syllabus.
  • The dissertation is evaluated as part of the final assessment (specific weightage to be determined by the course coordinator).